Nashville Spousal Support Attorneys

In a divorce, sometimes one spouse is left at a financial disadvantage. When this occurs, spousal support, more commonly known as alimony, is intended to provide support to a former spouse. Many factors go into awarding alimony, and it can be a stressful experience to go through. This is why it’s important to have an experienced spousal support lawyer by your side to help you with the process. 

The Nashville spousal support lawyers at Martin Heller Potempa & Sheppard, PLLC have helped clients throughout the area pursue fair resolutions for alimony. Our firm represents spouses seeking or facing alimony payments throughout Middle Tennessee. We can listen to the details of your situation and discuss your options.

The Types of Alimony In Tennessee

Not every spouse eligible for alimony will receive the same type. There are several types of alimony that the court may order to ensure the receiving spouse is supported. 

These are the four types of alimony that can be awarded under Tennessee law:

• Periodic Alimony – Also known as permanent alimony, this is commonly awarded in marriages where only one spouse is the breadwinner, and the other requires financial support to maintain an accustomed lifestyle.
• Rehabilitative Alimony – This is designed to support a financially dependent former spouse who has decided to enroll in a training or education program to increase his/her earning potential.
• Transitional Alimony – This is awarded to a spouse who may have the skills to be employable, yet the divorce impacted him/her financially. The finances help bridge the gap until the spouse can recover.
• Lump-Sum Alimony – The spouse will receive a single payment to equalize any property division.

How Spousal Support is Determined

Under Tennessee law, a court considers many factors when determining the amount of spousal support necessary. They also must determine whether alimony will be temporary or permanent. Alimony must be agreed to, or awarded, at the time of a divorce and may not be sought after the fact.

Here are the factors that may affect how much spousal support is awarded and for how long. 

• The length of the marriage.
• Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements.
• Each spouse’s separate or marital property.
• The custody arrangement between the parents and whether the spouse seeking support has primary custody of any children.
• The standard of living the couple sustained while married.
• Each spouse’s financial resources, including earning capacity, retirement, or profit-sharing benefits.
• Each spouse’s contributions during the marriage.
• The age and health of each spouse.
• Each spouse’s occupation as well as job skills and employability for the spouse seeking alimony.

The court may also consider the education and training of both spouses, their conduct during the marriage, and any other factors that it deems just or equitable in making its determination.

Terminating Spousal Support

In some cases, it is possible to terminate spousal support payments. There must be a substantial and material change in circumstances since the original support was awarded to terminate alimony payments in Tennessee. 

A material change is one that occurred after the original divorce decree was issued that was not anticipated or considered by either party at the time of the agreement. Substantial changes are those that significantly affect one party’s ability to pay or the other’s need for support. If this is the case, it’s best to speak with an experienced spousal support attorney to help you.

How Our Nashville Spousal Support Lawyers Can Help

When dealing with alimony matters, things can turn ugly easily, especially if you don’t have the right family law attorney by your side to guide you through the process. For decades, our Tennessee spousal support lawyers have helped clients find common ground where all parties are financially secure following a divorce or legal separation. We help our clients examine the financial circumstances involved and advocate for an appropriate solution.

Whether you are seeking spousal support during a divorce or trying to ensure fair payments, the divorce attorneys at Martin Heller Potempa & Sheppard PLLC are ready to fight for your rights. Contact us today for more information